Coordinated Emirati–U.S. Move Targets Al-Islah Party in Marib

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

Media sources have revealed coordinated moves led by the United Arab Emirates and the United States targeting the Yemeni Congregation for Reform (Al-Islah Party), in an effort to weaken its political and military influence—particularly in Marib governorate—through an integrated intelligence and security track.

Emirati File Submitted to U.S. Intelligence

Radar 360 platform reported, citing three corroborating sources, that the UAE handed U.S. intelligence agencies a detailed intelligence file containing allegations of Al-Islah’s links to networks designated as “terrorist,” and alleged ties to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

According to the information, this move comes within the framework of Emirati–U.S. coordination aimed at dismantling the party’s influence in Marib and paving the way for potential international measures against its leaders.

Prominent Leaders on Target Lists

According to the sources, the intelligence file includes a list of four prominent Al-Islah leaders:

• Mabkhout bin Aboud Al-Sharif, head of the party’s Marib branch

• Nasser Mabrouk bin Raqeeb, deputy governor of Marib

• Sheikh Saleh Al-Russa’, one of the party’s most prominent leaders in Al-Jawf governorate

• Sheikh Bakeel Al-Wushatha, a well-known Al-Islah figure in Marib, nicknamed the commander of the “Khawlan Resistance”

The documents allege the existence of links between these figures and Al-Qaeda, including claims related to financing and sheltering senior operatives, in preparation for adding the names to international wanted lists.

Direct Emirati Management of the File in Marib

In the same context, a senior security source revealed that an Emirati officer known as “Abu Khaled” is overseeing the Al-Islah file in Yemen, in coordination with Chief of Staff Sagheer bin Aziz and with the support of a number of local figures.

The source noted that this track is part of a comprehensive Emirati strategy to weaken the party and strike its influential leadership, within direct intelligence coordination with the U.S. side.

Role of Bin Aziz and a Liaison Officer with Washington

Security sources confirmed that Sagheer bin Aziz played a pivotal role in passing information and nominating the targeted names. He reportedly nominated the commander of the Third Military Region, Major General Mansour Thawabih, to serve as a liaison officer with U.S. intelligence on the Al-Islah file.

According to the sources, Thawabih was tasked with providing detailed information about the party, monitoring its influential leaders, and submitting proposals on mechanisms for dealing with it in the coming phase.

Intelligence Meetings Inside “Tampa” Base

This role culminated, according to the sources, in a visit by Major General Mansour Thawabih in early August to the United States, accompanied by Sadiq Dweid, spokesperson for the forces of Tareq Saleh. The two held meetings with U.S. intelligence officers inside the Tampa base in Florida, which hosts the headquarters of U.S. Central Command.

Intelligence Escalation in Marib

These developments come amid escalating political and military tensions in Marib governorate, alongside indications that the conflict among coalition parties is shifting from the military field to more complex intelligence and security levels—potentially affecting Yemen’s political and security landscape in the coming period.